Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister stated that operational matters at An Post were for its board and management, but he has an overriding responsibility. This is not just a rural issue, but the oft-quoted threat to 256 post offices also makes it an urban one. Last December, the Minister told me that the strategic review would report in May, but we are now approaching the end of June. What is the timeframe for the review?

Regarding the Kerr report of the post office network business development group, has the Minister invigilated that each of the targets and new areas of development is being proceeded with and that additional funding is being provided? In recent weeks, there was a major threat to our post office in Howth. It was advertised on a number of occasions, but no business came forward to take it on. By the look of things, there has been a stay of execution for a year. There were previous threats to the post office in Sutton and there are no direct post office services in the north Coolock area, which has a large population.

The Minister is presiding over a massive national business with nearly 2 million customers and 9,500 employees. He needs to move on this matter in a strategic way. So far, though, his approach has been disappointing.

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